Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

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17thAirborne
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Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Sat Nov 09, 2013 10:29 am

Having just finished building my house over the past 16 months I'm ready to tackle the WLA that has been sitting in the workshop collecting dust and being neglected. Today was simply the general cleaning of the machine. I know I have the following mechanical problems to correct before she will run:

1. Shifter and clutch linkage needs to be adjusted
2. Carb needs to be cleaned and adjusted
3. Oil pump needs to have the bearing seats burnished and one of the bolts replaced. (probably a colony repop bolt) I have a burnishing tool for the job and a torque wrench.
4. Kick starter does not always "grab". I have an issue in the counter shaft area, perhaps the spring or sprocket or something else.
5. Russian rubbers are not correct. Need some nice Cokers or Firestone 4x18s eventually. Will probably drive them for a while on the current gummy's before replacing.

I don't think the gal needs a restoration at this point. The previous owner indicated it was a circa 2000 restoration job, but was unsure who did it. I think It has at least 90% original parts more or less and from a cosmetic point of view it looks okay. Not sure how well the engine and tranny were rebuilt. perhaps someone recognizes the work? I know I have a few errors to correct for the type V such as the cylinders, generator body, kick starter arm and front brake handlebar clamp should be black. The Carb body is supposed to be OD and probably a handful of improperly finished parts that should be cadmium, blackened or natural finish. I have not gone into the fine detail from Palmer's book yet, just looked at the basics.

A friend of mine who owns the Harley dealership here in Roswell, NM recommended driving it for a while and enjoying it, provided it is mechanically sound, rather than tearing it apart and not getting to enjoy it for a long while. He is currently restoring a 30's Indian and a few other projects, so he understands the whole restoration issues.

My plan is to tackle 1-5 above and get the gal running comfortable. Having owned a previous WLA, I plan on installing one of the electronic ignition modules under the dist cap. I could not believe how effortlessly the previous one started up. 1 primer kick, ignition on and it fired up EVERY time!. Will do the same here eventually.

I am hoping to post lots of photos and ask for advice from the forum at each point along the way. Please fire away with comments, criticisms and suggestions. I would love to get this thing up and running soon. Her's a few images of before cleaning and after. Not much to see yet.

Oz

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After a bit of general cleaning.

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Serial Number of the Type V

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Carburetor

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Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)


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17thAirborne
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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Sat Nov 09, 2013 10:42 am

Post Script: Before i purchased it I recall looking at the Crank case numbers. They matched and I cannot remember if they were 43 or 44. Based on the SN of this one, the bike was part of the Type V build from Sep 43 to May 44. According to Palmer the range of numbers for that Type was from SN 50830 -60000. Given the 9 months they were made, and assuming roughly the same number produced per month (1018) , that would place mine in the fifth month (roughly) of production, so probably late December 43 or January 44. I'll have to look that up. Hints anyone?

I plan on spending a lot of time on Johan's Liberator site during this process. What a great reference.

oz
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

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Johan WILLAERT
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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by Johan WILLAERT » Sat Nov 09, 2013 12:25 pm

17thAirborne wrote: I plan on spending a lot of time on Johan's Liberator site during this process. What a great reference.

oz
Thanks, Oz

Let me know if I can help out ith info...
MVPA#14204
Huffman D50546 (1942)
Westfield Columbia MG138969 & MG140418 (1943)
HD 42WLA31854 (1943)
Ford GPW272xxx (1945)
Bantam T3 56433(Est) (1945)
John Wood M3A4 17564 (1943)
Johnston Lawn Mower Co RL35-A 1255 (1944)
BSA Mark V* T136102 (1944)
The Liberator

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Sat Nov 09, 2013 3:07 pm

Yes Johan...will do. I was wondering how much success folks have with keeping the OD paint on the carb body. It seems the slightest scratch would take it off. Is there a primer involved or other technique?

oz
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by Lib45 » Sun Nov 10, 2013 12:58 am

Looks nice this one.
Some minor thoughts though..: being a '44 model it should have the latter dataplate, and a six digit WD number isn't correct on a type V..should be 7 digits..
Just my tuppence.

I agree with your mate: ride it first to get it sorted, then start adjusting.

On the other hand: wintertime is approaching and those are not ridingdays.
After I've only done some 300 miles from rebuild, I've once again pulled my cylinders off to deal with the oilconsumption.
Those repop cylinders seems to have bad guides..

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by Johan WILLAERT » Sun Nov 10, 2013 1:57 am

17thAirborne wrote:Yes Johan...will do. I was wondering how much success folks have with keeping the OD paint on the carb body. It seems the slightest scratch would take it off. Is there a primer involved or other technique?

oz
My type III carb had traces of original silver paint and no primer, so I sprayed it silver wihout primer again... I used silver car wheel rim color for it.
Guess the paint hardens with engine heat, so wouldn't worry to much about it... The od on jeep engines stays on fairly good too...
MVPA#14204
Huffman D50546 (1942)
Westfield Columbia MG138969 & MG140418 (1943)
HD 42WLA31854 (1943)
Ford GPW272xxx (1945)
Bantam T3 56433(Est) (1945)
John Wood M3A4 17564 (1943)
Johnston Lawn Mower Co RL35-A 1255 (1944)
BSA Mark V* T136102 (1944)
The Liberator

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Sun Nov 10, 2013 1:03 pm

Lib45 wrote:Looks nice this one.
Some minor thoughts though..: being a '44 model it should have the latter dataplate, and a six digit WD number isn't correct on a type V..should be 7 digits..
Just my tuppence.

I agree with your mate: ride it first to get it sorted, then start adjusting.

On the other hand: wintertime is approaching and those are not ridingdays.
After I've only done some 300 miles from rebuild, I've once again pulled my cylinders off to deal with the oilconsumption.
Those repop cylinders seems to have bad guides..

Thanks for the support. In New Mexico we get a bout 330 days of sunshine, so I hope to ride a lot. Quite different from the European weather that I remember. (Belgium and Germany) Lots of rain, fog and snow in the winter. Here just sunshine and cooler temps.

I checked in Palmer's book and he lists the data plate 3531-42Mas used by the 42WLA Type III, IV, and V. I am sure I have the right data plate, but perhaps I am reading it wrong. Did the Type V switch plates in mid year...say after Jan 44? I'm not sure there.

As for the Reg number I recall a SN to Reg No conversion calculator somewhere, but can't find it. The stencil on mine reads 692408, of course it was placed there by the last painter. Will have to check that too. I plan on tagging it to the 774th TD Bn, Recon Platoon. So changing will be no problem later.

Again thanks fr the comments

oz
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Sun Nov 10, 2013 1:05 pm

[/quote]

My type III carb had traces of original silver paint and no primer, so I sprayed it silver wihout primer again... I used silver car wheel rim color for it.
Guess the paint hardens with engine heat, so wouldn't worry to much about it... The od on jeep engines stays on fairly good too...[/quote]


Johan...good points. I guess the carb gets fairly hot and should bake the OD on fairly well. Did not think about that. I'll tackle that when I'm done riding after a few years (many I hope)
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Sun Nov 10, 2013 1:26 pm

Spent a nice afternoon working on the carburetor. Spent about 2 hours removing and doing some basic cleaning. There was a lot of sludge in the bottom of the strainer, the carb bowl and the tank. I decided to drain that too. I will need to get some gaskets for the carb to manifold, the carb bowl and the various fittings on the carb.

Check out the fuel in the can photo..anyone have any ideas of what I should do in the tank. I was going to fill with some gas and flush a few times. I think the tank has been treated inside with that fuel tank sealer stuff. ??


Looks like i have the aluminum carb that was replaced by steel during some time in the Type V build time frame.
Image


Complete Carb assembly removed. I had not noticed the support bracket on the bottom of the carb before.
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Nice sludge!!.
Image


Carb bowl parts.looks like one of the synthetic floats. I hear good things about these. No decay visible, still light weight.
Image


Bottom of the drain can after draining the fuel tank. Lots of crap in there that will get into the carb later and gum it back up..
Image
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by Johan WILLAERT » Sun Nov 10, 2013 11:04 pm

Originally and per parts list, the bowl has no gasket...
MVPA#14204
Huffman D50546 (1942)
Westfield Columbia MG138969 & MG140418 (1943)
HD 42WLA31854 (1943)
Ford GPW272xxx (1945)
Bantam T3 56433(Est) (1945)
John Wood M3A4 17564 (1943)
Johnston Lawn Mower Co RL35-A 1255 (1944)
BSA Mark V* T136102 (1944)
The Liberator

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Johan WILLAERT
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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by Johan WILLAERT » Sun Nov 10, 2013 11:13 pm

USA 692408 was most likely 42WLA56507, give or take 2 or 3 numbers...

It would have been painted in 1" blue drab numbers on the rear fender upon delivery to the Ord Corps
MVPA#14204
Huffman D50546 (1942)
Westfield Columbia MG138969 & MG140418 (1943)
HD 42WLA31854 (1943)
Ford GPW272xxx (1945)
Bantam T3 56433(Est) (1945)
John Wood M3A4 17564 (1943)
Johnston Lawn Mower Co RL35-A 1255 (1944)
BSA Mark V* T136102 (1944)
The Liberator

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17thAirborne
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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Mon Nov 11, 2013 4:59 am

Johan,
Thanks for the info. That will help me get close to the proper number. It seems whats on there now is about 5 off, and once corrected will be close as you say. Also I did not know about the gasket. It seems it would be prudent to install one there correct?

Also I see there are 2 types of gaskets for the nut under the carb bowl. The one on mine was rubber and there is one listed as a copper crush gasket.

oz
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

Lib45
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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by Lib45 » Mon Nov 11, 2013 7:17 am

Sorry 'bout my comments; I was wrong.
7 digit WD numbers from type VI on, type V and earlier 6 digit number...my bad.

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Mon Nov 11, 2013 7:50 am

No problem on that. i get numbers wrong all the time. Dyslexia is quite the curse, especially for a pilot!!
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Mon Nov 11, 2013 7:56 am

Went back and read a few posts in preparation for working on the starter problem. It seems there is a general distrust of any tranny components other than NOS because of the Crap coming out of the middle and far east. Seems the gears and stuff don't hold up to wear. On that note I called Warren at the 45Restoration Company and asked him abut that. He indicated that was correct. He said in the past few years he and an associate have worked hard to correct that issue and have worked diligently with the manufacturers in Taiwan. Apparently after a few prototypes they have been "getting it right" The manufacturer in Taiwan is using good hardened steel and CNC machines to ensure 100% dimensions and durability of parts. Once I crack open the case and see what my kick starter issue is, i may work with Warren to see how durable the new stuff is. I spoke with him today and urged him to scour the g503 and look for comments on the parts and and see what the experts are saying. perhaps we can get some iprovement in the field, if that has not already been done.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Anyone bought any new tranny gears, sprockets or the like there lately?

oz
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)


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